Native American Artist-in-Residence Program

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) serves as a steward for thousands of material culture items and photographs, as well as thousands of records related to Native American communities of the region.

The Native American Initiatives (NAI) Department at MNHS supports access to these materials. Our responsibility as an institution is to ensure Native interests are reflected in public spaces, exhibitions, programming, and historic sites. Most importantly, we engage with Native people and nations throughout the state, ensuring Native voices, stories, and histories are addressed in MNHS’s work.  We strive to strengthen our relationships with Native communities. “Community” is not limited to federally recognized tribal reservation communities, but also includes urban communities.

Learn more about NAI.

Program overview

Artist-in-Residence 

The Native American Artist-in-Residence (NAAIR) Program, led by the Native American Initiatives Department, was established in 2013 to support the continuation and recovery of traditional Native American arts by utilizing the Minnesota Historical Society’s collections. NAAIR is a six to twelve month residency. Artists are supported financially, gain open access to study the MNHS collections, and are provided with support to visit regional museums or knowledgeable peer artists or elders. The purpose of this residency is to expose Native American artists who currently work within traditional art forms to these resources, in order to:

1) Advance their understanding of their respected forms of art.

2) Bring this advanced awareness and understanding to their home communities in a way designed by the artist. 

This program highlights the knowledge and experience resident artists bring with them as they research the collection. Artists help inform MNHS collections and future researchers by adding their knowledge of the craft to the descriptions and information provided for each object they visit with. MNHS Collections and NAI staff will also benefit tremendously from knowledge shared by the artists regarding what they have learned about the construction, style, design, and uses of cultural items. 

The core focus areas of this residency are collections research, community outreach, and transference of intergenerational knowledge. The NAAIR program is open to artists practicing all forms of cultural art, including utilitarian forms such as bow-making and canoe-making. Special consideration will be given to regional traditional media that is seen as endangered within the artist’s community, such as pottery or birch bark biting. 

Applying artists will submit an application which includes:

  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae 
  • Artist’s Statement 
  • Letter of support from Community Member 
  • Portfolio  (5-10 pictures of past work) 
  • Research Proposal 
  • Community Project Proposal 

Participating artists will be responsible for their own equipment, materials, banking options to receive payments, and travel and lodging while in the Twin Cities. A travel budget for research visits is allotted for each artist. Additionally, the program has an acquisitions budget devoted to purchasing at least one piece of work from each artist-in-residence. 

Randi Lynn bag.

Top of a cradle board created by 2018-19 NAAIR Artist Randilynn Boucher.

Jennie Kappenman 2020 NAAIR Artist Rolling Jingle dresses at Annishiabbe art festival.

Jennie Kappenman 2020 NAAIR Artist Rolling Jingle dresses at Annishiabbe art festival.

Dugout canoe artist Mat Pendelton, 2021-22 NAAIR Artist at Dakota Omnichye.

Dugout canoe artist Mat Pendelton, 2021-22 NAAIR Artist at Dakota Omníčiye.

Fern Cloud, 2023 NAAIR Artist teaching traditional hide painting at Mille Lacs Art festival.

Fern Cloud, 2023 NAAIR Artist teaching traditional hide painting at Mille Lacs Art festival.

Fern creating art.

Fern Renville, 2023 NAAIR Artist Studying Collections.

Fern Renville .

Fern Renville at 2023 Owamni Falling water festival in Minneapolis 

Autumn Cavendar.

Autumn Cavendar and colleagues visiting MNHS collections 

People looking at artifacts.

Chanelle Gallagher studying MNHS Archeology Collections 

Application process

Apply

NOTE: The following materials must be submitted (mailed, faxed, emailed, or dropped off) on or before October 14, 2024:

  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Artist Biography
  • Artist Statement
  • Letter of Support
  • Portfolio (5 to 10 examples of work)
  • Research Proposal
  • Community Project Proposal

Apply online via google. If you don't have a Gmail account, you can submit your materials to:

Chloe Cashman, Program Specialist, Native American Initiatives

Minnesota Historical Society 
345 Kellogg Blvd. W. 
St. Paul, MN 55102

Or chloe.cashman@mnhs.org

Resume or Curriculum Vitae 

A resume is a concise document created to present an individual's background, employment history, skills, and accomplishments. A curriculum vitae is a document that presents a full history of one's academic credentials. Artists are required to provide at least one of these documents to be considered for the residency.

Artist Statement 

Artists are asked to provide a brief statement explaining their interest in the Native American Artist-in-Residence program and how this research and community outreach opportunity could inform and support their work.

Letter of Support 

This program does not require tribal enrollment for participation, however we do ask that a letter of support be written by a member of the community the applicant identifies with. These letters should address the applicant's art and involvement within the community; it should also include the supporting individual’s contact information.

Portfolio

Please attach 5-10 current pieces (created within the last 5 years) with a corresponding numbered image list with media, date, and dimensions.

Program Outcomes

The NAAIR award consists of the following:

  • $30,000 grants to be paid in 3 installments, the last installment paid after completion of the program. (Applicants should understand that this is taxable income.)
  • Travel stipend - up to $4,000 to visit and research other cultural knowledge bearers and institutions.
  • Access to MNHS collections and a network of regional institutions for individual research.
  • Funding and support for programming such as materials, food, etc.
  • Up to $7,500 to purchase artwork that will be added to the MNHS collection.

Additional Artist Outcomes: 

  • Receive support from MNHS staff and interns in regards to collections study, program development, and logistical support regarding travel.
  • Receive support from MNHS staff and consultants to evaluate the outputs and outcomes of the community programs, using culturally appropriate evaluation methods.
  • Receive training in both museum collection and archival collection research, including how to access historic manuscript, photograph, and library collections through the MNHS research library.
  • Spend the majority of residency devoted to artistic study of the MNHS collections, but also receive a travel stipend to be used for visits to other local, regional, and national museums, including the Mille Lacs Indian Museum, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the National Museum of the American Indian, if desired. The travel stipend may also be used for visits with knowledgeable elders or artists practicing the art form and/or for bringing these knowledgeable elders/artists to view the MNHS collections for joint study.
  • Develop a community-based project inspired by this research, in order to share new knowledge of the art form in the artist’s home community. Special consideration will be given to projects incorporating a deep transfer of cultural knowledge, such as building curricula and organizing community-based youth classes, or the development of a relationship with an apprentice artist. This project is to be completed within 3 months of the end of the residency.
  • Participate in and assist in evaluating three public programs, thereby exposing the MNHS (generally non-Native) museum audience to traditional Native American art forms. Programs will be designed by the artist with assistance from MNHS staff and may include demonstrations of the art form, gallery talks, or public lectures.

MNHS Expectations For Artists in Residence:

  • Check in with the Program Specialist by phone or in person on a biweekly basis. This includes providing an email address and telephone number that is checked regularly and responding to all communications within a reasonable time.
  • Work with MNHS media specialists to create one video interview documenting their experiences during the residency.
  • Make available at least one work of art for purchase by the MNHS permanent collection (additional funds designated for this purchase).
  • Successfully pass a security background check.
  • Agree to abide by MNHS’ Statement of Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and Culturally Sensitive Objects Policy and be aware that any culturally sensitive objects requested to be accessed during residency will require special procedures and permissions.